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I got this lens because it's faster than most kit zooms, but not huge like the 24-70, it's compatible with my film body, and it has a decent 1:2 macro ability.

It's capable of great shots, but it's pretty disappointing wide open. The system of switching in and out of macro mode is a bit annoying, but fine once you're used to it.

The price I paid was on eBay for a 2nd hand model with very light signs of use.

lightknight

Registered: November 2009Posts: 21

Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Nikkor review by lightknight

Review Date: 11/2/2009

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $850.00| Rating: 9

Pros:

good range, FX compatible, fast at wide angle, fast focussing, sharp

Cons:

very short focus range so hard to focus manually, slightly too much plastic

this is a very underestimated zoom which is capable of great image quality from about F5.6 onwards. Its slightly weak at 85mm. I have primes for 85, 50, and 28 mm but this lens loses little to these up to around F11. This is my go-to lens for most casual shooting - the only knock-off for Nikon is the fact that I cant see any reason to buy the 24-70 F2.8 but it sure doesn't bother me!

As mentioned in the cons section the construction says "consumer" and it has what must be the least amount of focus travel of any lens I have ever used - but this also results in really quick auto focus. Again, VERY underrated and its not a surprise that Nikon have killed their much later replacement lens and kept this one going.

PuxaVida

Registered: September 2009Posts: 6

Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Nikkor review by PuxaVida

Review Date: 9/30/2009

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $500.00| Rating: 8

Pros:

Very impressive IQ between 24-50mm, low price

Cons:

More plastic than metal

You'll be satisfied with this lens unless you desperately require new AF technology or true IF design. I bought it because of its low price and I don't prefer DX format zooms for my lens collection. By the way, AF is fast and accurate, but noisier than newer versions (is that really a problem?!)

It's a fast lens with very impressive IQ (esp. between 24-50mm @ f/2.8-5.6). Even at 85mm you'll get great sharpness when stopped down to f/8. I believe the IQ of this beats the newer AF-S 24-85mm (except for IQ at long end).

The macro option (1:2 @ 85mm) is nice to have and produces results as good as it gets for a 1:2 ratio.

BQ: The weakest chain when compared to newer nikon models. Too much plastic but well built. Has non rotating front element. Focus ring rotates during AF but not much of a problem because the ring is quite thin (which is not good if you focus manually).

Distortion: Barrel distortion at 24mm (visible on architectural shots) and slight pincussion at long end.

LaCAs: Well controlled for a zoom lens but can be seen @ wide open. Better performance than AF-S 24-85mm ED.

Bokeh: Nice bokeh (has 9-blade diaphragm).

Vignetting: It's a FF lens. Mounting it on a D90 let you forget the vignetting issues even at wide open.

SETI

Registered: April 2007Posts: 20

Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Nikkor review by SETI

Review Date: 12/30/2007

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $580.00| Rating: 10

Pros:

Image quality, build quality, macro

Cons:

Little bit soft at 24mm/f2.8

It's my second 24-85/2.8-4 lens. I sold the first in order to upgrade to 17-55mm/f2.8. After I saw the picture of 17-55, I sold it and got that new again =) There's no rivals for this. Great picture, beautyful bokeh and outstanding macro... it's all in one lens =) Made in Japan

ronen_we

Registered: November 2006Posts: 7

Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Nikkor review by ronen_we

Review Date: 11/15/2006

Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $560.00| Rating: 7

Pros:

24mm, macro

Cons:

weighty, build, manual focus, soft

A jack of all trades, relativly fast, usefull zoom range, espcially in the wide side, 24 mm is a real bon over the norm 28mm.